Robert Luck
Professor of Entomology
- BS Forestry 1964
- University of California, Berkeley
- MS Entomology 1966
- University of California, Berkeley
- PhD Entomology 1973
- University of California, Berkeley
Research Areas
Behavioral and evolutionary ecology Biological control; population dynamics Forest entomology; pest management
Research Specialization - Parasitic Hymenoptera are ubiquitous organisms that comprise a substantial component of the top trophic levels in many arthropod communities. Host-parasitoid interactions, and their bearing on biological control and population biology are the focus of our laboratory's research. Our research includes applied and fundamental aspects as both model systems and as practical solutions to pest problems. The applied aspects exploit biological control by arthropod natural enemies on herbivorous insects as the foundation for ecologically based Integrated Pest Management programs. The fundamental aspects involve the behavioral and evolutionary ecology of parasitoids.
Awards Received
2003 - International Organization for Biological Control Distinguished Scientist Award
Publications
Kapranas, A.& R. F. Luck. 2008. Egg maturation, host feeding, and longevity in two Metaphycus species parasitoids of soft scales. Biological Control. 47: 147-153.
Tena A., A. Kapranas, F. Garcia-Marí & R. F. Luck 2008. Host discrimination, superparasitism, and infanticide by a gregarious endoparasitoid. Animal Behaviour 76: 789-799.
Kapranas, A. P. Pacheco, L. D. Forster, J. G. Morse, R. F. Luck. 2008. Precise Sex Ratios Manifested by Several Encyrtid Parasitoids (Hymenoptera:Encyrtidae) of Brown Soft Scale, Coccus hesperidum L. (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62: 1043-41.
Kapranas, A., J. G. Morse, L. D. Forster, P. Pacheco, and R. F. Luck. 2007. Survey of brown soft scale (Coccus hisperidum L.) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) parasitoids in southern California citrus. Biological Control. 42 (3): 288-299 (Ref.)
Guillén, M., R. F. Luck, and J. M. Heraty. 2007. Preferred Host Stages, Clutch Size, and Sex Allocation by Cirrospilus coachellae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid of Marmara gulosa (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) with a view to its rearing and release as a biological control agent. Biological Control 40: 264-72.
Coviella, C. E., J. F Garcia,. D. R. Jeske, R. A Redak, and R. F. Luck. 2006. The feasibility of tracking within field movements of Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) using florescent dust in mark-release-recapture experiments. Journal of Economic Entomology 99:1051-1057.
Velema, H. P., L Hemerik, M. S. Hoddle, and R. F. Luck. 2005. Brochosome influence on parasitisation efficiency of Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) egg-masses by Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Ecological Entomology 30: 485-496
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